Any party to an arbitration in which an award has been made may petition the court to confirm, correct or vacate the award. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1285.) Code of Civil Procedure § 1285 only allows a petition to confirm an award to be brought by a "party to the arbitration in which the Award has been made...."

The petition must:

1. set forth the substance of or have attached a copy of the agreement to arbitrate;
2. set forth the names of the arbitrators;
3. set forth or have attached a copy of the award and the written opinion of the arbitrators, if any CCP § 1285.4; and
4. be brought within four years after date of service of copy of award on petitioner.

(Code Civ. Proc. § 1288.)

Service of the petition, the notice of hearing and any other papers the petition is based upon must be accomplished in the manner provided for in the arbitration agreement. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1290.4(a).) If a manner of service is not specified and service is within this state, then service must be made in the same manner as that provided for when serving a summons in an action. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1290.4(b).)

The allegations of a petition are deemed admitted unless a response is duly served and filed. (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1290, 1290.6.)

If such a petition is duly served and filed, the court must either confirm the award as made, correct the award and confirm it as corrected or vacate the award or dismiss the proceeding. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1286.)

If an award is confirmed, judgment shall be entered in conformity therewith. Once an arbitration award has been confirmed and judgment entered accordingly, “it may be enforced like any other judgment of the court in which it is entered....” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1287.4.) (Code Civ. Proc. § 1287.4.)

When confirming an arbitration award the court shall award costs as provided in CCP § 1021 et seq. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1293.2.)

However, a court may deny an arbitration award if a party fails to provide proof of service of the notice of hearing, notice of non-appearance, memorandum of points and authorities and the declaration of counsel in support of petition in a manner that complies with CCP § 1290.4(b). Section 1290.4 requires that a copy of the petition (and any supporting papers) and a written notice of the time and place of hearing be served (1) in the manner provided in the arbitration agreement for service of such petition; or (2) if the arbitration agreement does not provide the manner of such service, then in the manner provided for service of summons. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1290.4)